LOWELL – The Tri-City ValleyCats (28-23) put up 10 hits against the Lowell Spinners (30-21), but, for the second night in a row, pitching failed them in an 8-6 loss to their Stedler Division foe at LeLacheur Park. With the loss and a Connecticut win, the ‘Cats and Tigers are tied for second place in the division, two games back from Lowell.
Abdiel Saldana (0-1) suffered the loss for Tri-City despite pitching well in relief. All 3.2 innings were scoreless, but he exited with two runners on base. Nick Hernandez, who relieved Saldana, allowed both inherited runners to score, handing him his first blown save of the season.
Out of the bullpen, Lowell righty Dioscar Romero picked up his 4th win of the season, allowing just one base runner in the final 2.1 innings.
For the third consecutive night, Spencer Johnson (6) hit a home run to left field, and finished 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED: In the bottom of the second inning, after allowing three runs in the first, Sebastian Kessay gave up what looked like it would be a leadoff base hit to All-Star second baseman Carlos Tovar. Instead, Marcos Almonte made an incredible diving catch in centerfield to rob him of a hit.
Later, with the score tied at five in the top of the 7th, Tyler Wolfe, who had come in for Miguelangel Sierra as a defensive replacement, stepped to the plate with Almonte at second. Wolfe blooped a single over Allen Craig’s head in shallow right field, allowing Almonte to score the go-ahead run from second base.
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS: With the loss, the ValleyCats are now 4-3 against Lowell this season, and are 12-9 against Stedler Division opponents.
WHAT’S NEXT: The ‘Cats play in game two against Lowell tomorrow night, August 10. After Lowell, the ‘Cats head north to take on the Vermont Lake Monsters for three games.
Probable match-ups for the rest of the Lowell series:
Wednesday, August 10: RHP Edgardo Sandoval (1-2, 3.98) vs. RHP Kevin Steen (1-4, 5.75)
Thursday, August 11: RHP Dustin Hunt (0-0, 4.62) vs. RHP Michael Shawaryn (0-0, 0.00)
